Christian Erfurt

Be My Eyes is a simple but powerful app enabling the blind and visually impaired to ‘see’ through the eyes of sighted volunteers via a smartphone. “I participated in JA Company Programme where I founded our first start-up that still exists today. My passion is innovation, personal development, changing paradigms, people and the adventures of life. This is closely linked to my childhood. Without sharing stories about how I learned to ride a bicycle and how I believed a “goal kick” in soccer actually meant kicking the goal frame, I will briefly address it: There is no ordinary childhood; however mine was very close to an average lovely Danish childhood: I played sports, ate ice cream, I lived surrounded by playgrounds, green trees, and friends. At the age 13 I was diagnosed with cancer for the first time and here my ordinary childhood stopped. Fast-forward: 5 years, numerous treatments and surgeries later. I had beaten cancer twice and now consider the cancer being one of the best things that happened to me – besides surviving it. It gave me perspective, a positive approach and a love of life at a very young age. This approach to life and skill set led me to be absorbed in the world of innovation and entrepreneurship where core skills like adaptability, positive thinking and creativity are very similar to the ‘lessons learned’ from surviving cancer. Now – at the early stages of my career I use this skill set in creating businesses, helping entrepreneurs and to motivate others. I have been part of the JA alumni network for 10+ years and the community is a key ingredient in my entrepreneurial journey. JA was the igniting spark to start my journey. I met young likeminded early stage entrepreneurs who showed me that you can make it even at a young age.” Christian recently participated as a jury member in JA Europe’s Social Innovation Relay Global Final in June 2017. He continues to be an inspiration to the JA network. www.bemyeyes.com